Mars Restaurant & Bar
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 472-3901
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Gibson Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Date Spot 2006, Romantic Dining 2006
- Hours:
- Tue-Wed 11am-10:30pm, Thu-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun-Mon 11am-10pm
Editorial Review for Mars Restaurant & Bar – by Joshua Hinsdale
The Scene
Mars draws you in, sits you down and starts its relaxation technique. The deep-red interior, flecked with black and gold paint, hushes the harried spirit. Cozy banquettes line the windows and additional tables create romantic seating nooks throughout the interior. The space, though harmonious, is nearly always packed with first-daters, trendy scenesters and old timers reflecting about how the restaurant (and Austin) used to be. Service is affable, if sometimes slammed.
The Food
The chef draws from Indian, Thai, Mediterranean and Japanese cuisines, sometimes merging several into a single dish. Vegetarians are not forgotten, with at least 10 meatless items offered. The scallops and gyoza appetizer has buttery scallops that make you want to eat them in small bites. The tender rack of lamb has a mint demi glace and the tandoori mixed grill is the perfect way to sample the chicken, steak, pork and duck on a single plate.
Hits: The patio offers a relaxing spot to linger over a meal and watch the SoCo bustle.
Misses: Wait time during peak hours can exceed an hour and waiting areas are cramped, unless you luck into one of the outdoor bar tables.
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Insider Tips
Save MoneyCome in for happy hour 5pm to 7pm Monday to Friday and enjoy drink and appetizer specials.
When to GoDim Sum is served Sundays from 11am to 3pm, featuring chicken lettuce cups, duck confit egg rolls, egg foo young, steamed dumplings and moo shoo pork with mandarin pancakes.
Save TimeReservations are accepted for parties of 6 or more.
User Reviews for Mars Restaurant & Bar
11/13/2008 Posted by FandWatx
Ah mars..................looks good, doesn't it? well its kinda like that really hot chick at the bar who seems appetizing, but the second she opens her mouth you realize how horribly stupid and gross she really is, and you start wishing you went to mcdonalds instead of going out. first: they are obviously going for fine dining THEN GET SOME WAITSTAFF THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE . foodies expect a certain level of service, and at mars' prices, they better get it. i got some girl that was shuffling round the restaurant mumbling and took my order like i was at dennys. HAD NO CLUE ABOUT THE WINE LIST. presented our mixed grill as "UH...ER...HERES YALLS STEAK AND DUCK, AND UM, PORK..STUTTER THANKS" entrees were served at the table before first courses were even half way done. GET A CLUE we realize we are paying for the ambiance but get a clue. and the food............it was good. scallops were great. but i see how on here the chef actually responded to the reviews????HA! what a tosser. mars better stop looking in the mirror loving it self for its cool little red orbs in the trees and start respecting the patrons, because, along with that hot chick at the bar, we can usually spot a fake
10/26/2008 Posted by jenniferbelton
I enjoyed eating at Mars. The service was good and the food was wonderful. I had spring rolls, with a tangy but spicy sauce and stir fry. I will go back. Jennifer McCoy Belton, tx
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